Evaluate yourself in terms of cognitive moral development and locus of control, eithical decision-making style, Moral disengagement, and Machiavellianism what does this tell you about your own ethical decision making? do the same for someone you know well , answer examples
It is actually difficult for me to accurately evaluate myself or others on cognitive moral development, with the current information provided in the chapter. Information about obtaining a measure of cognitive moral development is provided below. But, this question does provide an opportunity for thought and self-reflection. A measure of locus of control is provided below.
Cognitive moral development:
The cognitive moral development model comes from the research of Lawrence Kohlberg, proposing that as individuals mature, their moral development also matures. Cognitive moral development is the process of moving through stages of maturity in terms of making ethical decisions
I am going discuss on what I think about, when faced with an ethical dilemma: whether I will be caught and punished? And what significant others would think and do in the same situation? Or, what kind of world it would be, if everyone took a particular action?"
I acknowledge that I fall under the conventional level of cognitive moral development,when faced with ethical dilemma, I am more concerned about other people and want to please them and gain their approval, following the rules and conventions such as the duty to my family, marriage vows, and to my country, To give an example,I would never think that it would be proper to anything against my county. The other example would be to not commit adultery in a committed marriage, not committing street crimes, or using drugs.
When I look at my colleague's friend he is not that Loyal and he would not please anyone and commit adultery in a committed marriage.
Other example that I would like to bring in for the post conventional level is my neighbor and a friend of mine, During the times of recession the home he bought for $650,000can down to $450,000 when everyone was defaulting and walking from the property and mortgage,my friend (is a principled man) he paid his mortgage in spite of the properties under the water. Other paid very less monthly mortgage payments for the same house. I strongly feel that my friend/neighbor is at post conventional level this post conventional level is seen rarely in extraordinary individuals. The Formal operational reasoning that he exhibits to reach the highest level of moral reasoning, but this alone is not sufficient. To some extent, at the highest levels, moral reasoning is a product of culture and history. He respect rules and laws, but recognize that they may have limits.
Locus of control
An internal locus of control indicates that the individual's behavior and other life events, whether positive or negative, are determined by internal factors; they are dependent on themselves and their ability to control or change life events or behaviors. In contrast, an external locus of control indicates that external factors, also positive or negative and for which they have no control over, influence an individual's behavior and life events.
I consider myself asa high internal locus of control since I tend to be more highly motivated, achieving and independent. I strongly believe that I can control my destiny, other than events that not in my realm. For example, I would blame poor grades or missed deliverable at work onmy failure to study or failure to complete my work on time. Whereas as my ex college mate/colleague with external locus of control may blame an unfair teacher or test and improper documentationfor their poor performance
Also, in comparison, with a colleagueof mine with a high external locus of control having tendency to see him as powerless in controlling their own lives. Therefore, his development of decision-making skills is poor, becausehe genuinely believe that the choices he makes will not have much or any influence in the way his life turns out. He believes that life events are associated with factors such as luck, chance and fate. I see him most of the times stressed (‘life events are stressful when they are perceived to be uncontrollable.') When I compare with him, I am able to take control of my own life, (hence for me with an internal locus of control) and tend to be less stressed.
I also felt couple of times that he (externalsfavortests)of chance over tests of skill, as he believe any experience or achievement is attributable to luck or chance. It is also evident that he (‘externals)make lower estimates of success even when success level is no less than that of internals'.
Ethical decision-making:
I think I am a idealist /Consquentionalistwith high degree of idealism and low degree of relativism, because I strongly believe that my actions shout should not harm anyone during an ethical dilemma. The example I would like empahsie here is contaractor was violiating the office working policy even though he was working remote since his wife was sick, I had a dilemma whether to talk to the vp to amend the remote working policy, however the amendment fails the contract will be fired.
However, it quite went opposite my colleague and I would call him relativist or deontologist for him his emphasis on ethical principle being dependent on the situation rather than being applicable to all situations. He did fire the contractor, bcos he thinks "harm is sometimes necessary to produce good.
Moral disengagement:
I particularly think I don't fall in to this category not just because I am writing this article, however I genuinely feel it. However, I can quote some example of my friends who fall in this category. Regarding the moral disengagement, a colleague of mine who smoke and owns fire arms (licensed) has the following justifications.
SOCIAL AND MORAL JUSTIFICATION:
Smoking is an exercise of one's freedom of choice. Protection of democratic values
Justified producing lethal automatic weapons as providing better self-defense against violence. • "If the gun has more stopping power, it is a more effective weapon."
ADVANTAGEOUS COMPARISON:
Other products that are harmful (e.g. alcohol, unhealthy foods) are allowed to be marketed freely •The benefits of the product or practices outweigh any possible harm they cause "Just like the fashion industry, the firearms industry likes to encourage new products to get people to buy its products."
DISPLACEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Guns are designed, not for the bad guys, but for the good guys. If criminals happen to get their hands on a gun it is not the manufacturer's fault. The problem is, you can't design a product and insure who is going to get it."
DIFFUSION OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Ignoring the fact that the view that nicotine is addictive and that smoking is a major contributor to lung cancer
Machiavellians:
Machiavellianism is a personality characteristic indicating one's willingness to do whatever it takes to get one's own way. A high-Mach individual has little concern for conventional notions of right and wrong, and believes that the end justifies the means.
It is not surprising that recent research has discovered that high-Machs are less likely to punish unethical behavior.
I don't fall in to this category not just because I am writing this article, However I have seen people in corporate world and in where the individual has little concern for conventional notions of right and wrong, and believes that the end justifies the means. Just because of this they move up the corporate ladder very fast.
In conclusion, as I matured and grew up I went through different stages in my life which define where I am morally that is at the conventional level. While comparing others, most people will never be able to reach the post conventional level of moral reasoning for different reasons With that, it is safe to say that the majority of this Earth's population lies in the area if the conventional level. The level of gaining other's approval and wanting their acceptance. They will follow the rules of the roles in their life in order to not gain negative attention. As it was said earlier gender may also play a role. Females usually focus on the need to protect enduring relationships and fulfilling human needs. Males focus on the concept of justice that makes it impersonal for them. Everyone is on different levels of reasoning whether their race, age, or gender is the same or not. That is what makes up the diverse world that we live in today.